Whirligig



1,631,539 June 7,1927- G. M. LARRAIR I WHIRLIGIG Filed July 1, 1926 ELIVLL a 1'']? a ir Patented June 7, 1927.

. UNIT STATES enorten M, IL'A'RRAIR, orv INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

PATENT OFFICE.

' WHIRLIGIG.

Application filed July 1 speed of rotation is increased and decreased.

' Another object of the invention is to providethe Wings with side extensions which may serve'not only as anchors for the retract- ,ing elastics but also as abutment-s to engage the peripheral edge of the body and limit outward movement of the wings.

Another object of the invention is to so mount the wings that-each may have engagement with the other and constitute means to limiti inward movement thereof.

The improved Whirligig is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view with the wings shown projected from the body portion;

V Fig. 2 is a View showing the body portion in section, the extended positions of the wings being indicated by dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a View looking at the peripheral edge of the device with the wings retracted.

The Whirligig constituting the subjectmatter of this invention includes a disk-like body portion 1, the peripheral edge of which is formed withacircumf-erentially extending groove 2. The body portion may be formed from a single piece of material having its edge provided with the groove, but it is preferred to employ an intermediate disk 3 and side disks 4 glued or otherwise secured against'opposite faces of the disk 3. The side disks 4 are of greater diameter than the intermediate disk 3 so that, when they are secured thereto, the circumferentially extending groove 2-will be formed. The side disks 4 have their outer faces painted to provide ornamental rings 5, 6 and 7 which are of contrasting colors. In the illustration, the outer and inner rings 5 and 7 have been indicated to represent red and the intermediate ring 6 yellow, but it will be under- 7 stood that any desired colors may be used 1926. Serial No. 119,946.

and that the rings upon one disk may be painted different colors from those upon the other disk. It will also be obvious that the number of rings may be increased or reduced. Openings 8 are formed through the body in opposed and slightly spaced relation to its center to receive an operating cord 9 by means of which the Whirligig is to. be rotated first in one direction and then in the other in the usual manner.

The display wings 10 are semi-circular in outline and preferably cooperate to form a divided disk of a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the body portion The two wings fit against the body portion at one side thereof and are pivotally secured by fasteners 11 which preferably have their shanks circular in cross section, as shown in Fig. 2 and serve not only as means to pivotally mount the wings but also to 'assist in holding the side disks in firm engagement with the center disk. Recesses 12 are formed in the wings and when the wings are retracted these recesses form an opening through which the cord 9 passes so that operation of the Whirligig will not be interfered with by the wings. Bands 13, 14' and 15 of contrasting colors are painted upon opposite faces ofthe wings, and from an inspection of Fig. 1 it will be apparent that, when the wings are projected, color rings will be shown about the rotating body portion and will have movement radially thereof as the speed at which the body portion rotates is increased or decreased.

The resilient means, by means of which the wings are normally held retracted, preferably consist of rubber bands 16 which extend longitudinally in the groove 2 and are engaged with arms or lugs 17 which project radially from diametrically opposite portions of the center disk 3 and constitute anchors for the elastics. The other ends of the elastics are engaged about lugs .or side arms 18 which project transversely from the wings across the peripheral edge of the body portion and serve not only as anchors for the elastics but also as abutments adapted to contact with the peripheral edge of the disk, as shown in Figs. 1 and'2, and limit. outward and inward movement of the wings. It should be noted that the lugs or anchors 17 and 18 are widened toward their free ends so that the elastics will be firmly held in engagement with them and not be liable to slip loose.

When the Whirligig is in use, the thumbs are passed through the end portions of the string 9 and the body portion rotated a suflicient amount to twist the st'ringat opposite sides thereof. A pulling action is then exerted upon the string so that the body portion is caused to rotate in an opposite direction and first untwist the string and then again twist it. This is repeated and the body portion will be caused to rotate first in one direction and'then in the other. As it rotates, thepwings will begradually moved outwardly by centrifugal force as the speed body having a circumferentially extending 7 groove in its. peripheral edge face, means to rotate said-body, wings pivoted to said body and adapted to be swung outwardlyby centrifugalforce when the body is rotated, and

'yieldable means carried by said body and ex-.

- tending circumferentially thereof in said groove and engageddwith said wings to, yieldably retain the wings retracted,

2. A 'whirligig comprising a disk-like body, means, to rotate said body, w1ngs pivoted against one side face of said body at opposite sides of itscenter and adapted to be swung outwardly in opposite directions by centrifugal force when the body is rotating,

anchor-sin said groove,land means to yieldto be swung outwardly in opposite directlons A by centrifugal force when the body iS,;1ro tating, lugs extending from said wings and-- jacent their. pivoted ends and projecting across the peripheraledge of said body to) limit pivotal movement of the wings the peripheral edge of said bodybeing formed with a oircumferentially extending groove, I and means to yieldably retain said win 5 retractedsecured in said groove and extending longitudinallytherein and engaged with r said lugs. c V

4l. A hirligig comprising a disk-like: a; body, means to rotate saidbody, win pivoted against one side face of said y at opposite sides of its center and adapted to V be swung. outwardly in opposite directions by centrifugal force when the body is rotating, lugs extending from said wings adja-Jk cent their pivotedends andprojecting across a u the peripheral edge of 'saii'hbody .to limit pivotal movement of the wings, the pen ripheral'edge of saidbody being"formed 2 with a circumferentially extending groove i q} if ably retain saidwings retracted extendin longitudinally therein and engaged wit said lugs and anchors, 1 p p a I aflix my signature.

In testimony whereof V GEORGE LARRAIR. as 

